tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16765985691830445082023-11-16T03:28:22.466-08:00The Rhetorical QuestA blog By Dr. Benjamin J. Cline about coming to terms . . .Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-25051231197143511792019-11-11T09:41:00.001-08:002019-11-11T09:41:09.040-08:00Our GamesAs children we'd pretend we'd captured light<br />
and held it as a funny thing to dance<br />
or tole some darkness from the sky at night<br />
and with the sunlight we could make it prance.<br />
<br />
we'd imagine we held a bright blue sky<br />
with a bit of white cloud off to one side<br />
and with sunlight and darkness it would fly<br />
whenever, wherever, we would decide.<br />
<br />
As adults we pretend we capture light<br />
that for a moment illumines a thought/<br />
As if we could grasp ephemeral sight<br />
or as if revelation could be caught<br />
<br />
what we make are toys that we hope just might<br />
remind other folks of darkness and light<br />
<br />
6/13/04Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-6910038267370568412019-11-11T09:37:00.003-08:002019-11-11T09:37:56.497-08:00Capture the momentNot all of my poems are factual<br />
some of them are, mostly<br />
But I still try to grip something actual:<br />
truth which is airy and ghostly.<br />
<br />
To bind up in ink an eyeblink<br />
and let ephemeral moments be captured<br />
to hold and examine what I think<br />
in the breath where my spirit is raptured.<br />
<br />
6/13/04Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-48707752043469214802019-11-11T09:34:00.001-08:002019-11-11T09:34:56.869-08:00Jennifer's HugWhen the music reached that one mystic loud,<br />
you put your tiny arms around my waist.<br />
When perception squeezed because of the croud,<br />
you squeezed me until my fat old heart raced.<br />
<br />
When the air smelled of cigarettes and weed,<br />
I smelt your hair gel mixed with shampoo.<br />
when the world swayed to guitar player's lead,<br />
I knew that it lead me straight to you.<br />
<br />
I caressed the smoothness of your shirt.<br />
I heard the roughness of the singer's voice<br />
when you held me so hard it started to hurt<br />
your muscles pulsed with the rock and roll noise.<br />
<br />
when fingers lingered as we pulled away,<br />
the hug and the music made my day.<br />
<br />
6/12/04<br />
<br />
Note: I am retyping this in November of 2019. I have no idea who Jennifer was. I've known a few women named Jennifer. I have no idea what concert I was at in June of '04. My handwriting is always terrible, but it doesn't look like "I've been drinking" level of bad, so I can''t blame booze, although I am use at that age if I was at a concert, I was drinking. In some ways, the fact that I remember nothing about this moment but captured it in a poem makes it better than if I remembered it all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-44973480456987810502019-11-11T09:26:00.000-08:002019-11-11T09:26:08.093-08:00Tylenol PMSorry, I can't talk right now<br />
you see I took a pill.<br />
I was hoping I could sleep somehow<br />
but I am twinkling still.<br />
<br />
I've been trying to shut down by brain<br />
but the fuse will not burn out.<br />
The wheels sparkle like a nitrous train<br />
whose scream echos my shout.<br />
<br />
My eyes burn like a desert sad.<br />
More red but just as dry.<br />
My back hurts from trying to stand<br />
as my stomach tried to cry.<br />
<br />
It would be best if you'd allow<br />
yourself to go away.<br />
sorry, I can't talk right now.<br />
I don't know what I'd say<br />
<br />
6/7/04<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-68985772568082535672019-11-11T09:22:00.000-08:002019-11-11T09:22:27.479-08:00Evil and Idolatrous A person sits in the middle.<br />
Oil is poured.<br />
Each of us places a hand on him<br />
or her<br />
and we pray.<br />
<br />
My breath catches every time.<br />
How is God going to move?<br />
Is He going to move?<br />
What will I do if He moves?<br />
<br />
I'm scared,<br />
scared of God,<br />
Scared He might confront me with his existance<br />
in a way it might take me weeks to explain away again.<br />
and sorta hoping he will.<br />
<br />
Evil and idolatrous, I seek after a sign<br />
or at least wish for one<br />
so I can doubt it<br />
or explain it away<br />
<br />
5/11/04Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-13606578747226887282019-11-11T09:18:00.001-08:002019-11-11T09:18:06.672-08:00Like a Real ManI sometimes complain that people don't see<div>
that my living is made by work, for real.</div>
<div>
When I say "people" I mean me.</div>
<div>
And I can't get past the guilt that I feel.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So today I did work that I understand. </div>
<div>
I scraped and I painted and I used tools;</div>
<div>
got black grime and grease all over my hands.</div>
<div>
Not all that weak shit I do for my school.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Soon I'll return to my school room and books</div>
<div>
and live by talking about things I've read</div>
<div>
and sort of feel like the works of all crooks,</div>
<div>
"this aint really working," screams in my head</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
but I've had this moment to understand</div>
<div>
that I truly can work, like a real man.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
5/10/04</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-9023256593614714432019-11-11T09:14:00.002-08:002019-11-11T09:14:45.844-08:00Nebraska SkiesYou can see stars here<br />
even in town.<br />
I'm not just talking about a few constellations,<br />
a few brighter stars, and Venus, and Mars<br />
I mean all of them.<br />
<br />
A sky so vast and star-filled<br />
that the stars almost obscure themselves<br />
constellations run into each other<br />
and the milky way makes a road across the sky<br />
that you are almost sure you can walk on.<br />
<br />
Things are clearer here<br />
and higher<br />
and proof of God is in the night air<br />
in the clean breeze and sweet breaths<br />
that you'd swear is the smell of stars.<br />
<br />
For those of us who have to leave,<br />
we want to bottle it all up and take it with us<br />
the smell, the stars, the revelation<br />
we want to pack it in a memory or a poem<br />
as if a bottle of glass or ink could hold it.<br />
<br />
5/9/04<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-48286550225798209642019-11-11T09:09:00.001-08:002019-11-11T09:09:50.456-08:00Nice townI wasn't really thinking when I joked<br />
"It's a nice town here. Nobody shoots you."<br />
When he just got back from the fires and smoke<br />
of a war I will never go through.<br />
<br />
He'd spent nights exposed to the mortar shellls<br />
and days expecting a rocket grenade.<br />
My ghetto's a heaven to his hardened hells<br />
and my lost stereo's no looters raid.<br />
<br />
he could have taken offence at my quip,<br />
for I realized my error too late<br />
but instead a bright smile came to his lip<br />
and laughing said, "I know, aint it great!"<br />
<br />
Instead of anger at my flippant tone,<br />
I just saw a man so glad to be home.<br />
<br />
5/8/04Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-84460788833676124302019-11-11T09:05:00.000-08:002019-11-11T09:05:53.811-08:00Alliance RivendellIt's been too long since I've rested<br />
and given my heart a chance to heal<br />
rubbed oil into my calloused soul<br />
and let my tender places feel<br />
<br />
Now I return to Rivendell<br />
where my torn heart will always stay<br />
the place my spirit longs to be<br />
from which my body's cursed to stray<br />
<br />
Here I take off all my armor<br />
and I wash clean my grimy skin<br />
and put on a soft clean robe<br />
and breath a safe breath once again<br />
<br />
Here my deep woulds will be treated<br />
and here I will not have to grieve<br />
except for the tears that will come<br />
when my quest compels me to leave<br />
<br />
5/07/04Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-22817309121389366622019-11-11T09:02:00.001-08:002019-11-11T09:02:20.090-08:00Control's illusionSometimes it goes so smoothly. It's like you're in control<br />
and everything just falls in place<br />
and there's Peace within your soul<br />
<br />
Everything is right on track<br />
your spirit rides on rails<br />
you don't miss the things you lack<br />
an nothing you do fails<br />
<br />
Then sometimes you hit a wall<br />
and everything just falls apart<br />
broken dreams explode in you<br />
like shrapnel in your heart<br />
<br />
The smoke from burned out hope<br />
stings your watering eyes<br />
You think if nothing folks do works,<br />
how come anybody tries?<br />
<br />
And when you think objectively,<br />
there's a scary thought to face:<br />
When things go smooth or things break down,<br />
Where's God in either place?<br />
<br />
5/5/04Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-73611487958899626872019-11-07T09:51:00.003-08:002019-11-07T09:51:38.501-08:00Your Pain <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's just something that I need you to hear<br />but I don't want you to listen, really.<br />Just let the noises penetrate your ear<br />and nod your head as if you can feel me. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes I simply need to crush your soul.<br />Sometimes I want to humiliate you.<br />To touch your lips with a hot glowing coal<br />but you know I'd never violate you.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's just something that I need you to see<br />But I don't want you to pay attention.<br />Pretend it's smoke and mirror ecstasy<br />Freaky thoughts for now, not for retention.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes I need to sit and watch you die.<br />Sometimes I want to see your walk falter.<br />Sometimes I wait until I hear you cry<br />to change pain that I could always alter.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 80px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do you believe I love you even still?<br />Do you understand this pain hurts me back?<br />Do you know that blood cries for blood to spill?<br />Do you see the love behind my attack?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's just something that I need you to know.<br />But, for now, your tired mind must let it slide.<br />It's a secret that could help you to grow<br />It's a hope that, you see, must be denied. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes I laugh when you attempt to leave.<br />Sometimes I let you make it out the door.<br />Sometimes I will allow you to believe<br />that you won't come crawling back, like before.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's something I need you to understand<br />But I know that it's too big for your mind.<br />But it's something that your heart will demand<br />When I make you seek it, then you will find.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes I need to see your heart broken.<br />Sometimes I want to scramble up your brain.<br />I want to give you a piece you will choke on<br />and let you live with the lingering pain.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 80px;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have you gotten it yet that I love you?<br />That we are tied together at the soul<br />And all this stuff I need you to go through<br />Makes you come back to me to make you whole.</span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-12380574314981291232019-11-07T09:51:00.000-08:002019-11-07T09:51:03.974-08:00Word<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Once, it existed we knew in our minds</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Once, it persisted but just in our hearts</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the myths and the poets deepest lines</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Hiding in the knowledge a seer imparts.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Prophets spoke it, but could not understand.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Philosophers thought it, but could not see.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Dreamers longed just to hold the concept ‘s hand</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">And sorcerers screamed at it to come free.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Holy Wind made it more than conception</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Power-mad Kings feared their own power’s loss</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Through false shepherds and serpents’ deceptions</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">All of man nailed all of man to a cross.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> Once just a word, then a word and still more</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> The word uttered now, the world to restore</span></div>
<div align="right" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">cc 2000</span></div>
<div align="right" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Benjamin J. Cline</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-74231853130719133532019-11-07T09:50:00.000-08:002019-11-07T09:50:07.140-08:00Why not conform?<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
More than most ever are, we were alive</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wildly dancing in hot ancient moonlight</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Naked, we ran faster than angels can fly</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was enough just to love with all of our might</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We drank pure droughts of living water’s blood</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We let the clay of our substance be stone</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We looked at the world and saw it was good.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was a perfect place in which we belonged.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But we saw the promise of a better life</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the sweet fruits of civilization</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We did not know about the future strife</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Or hear future groaning of creation</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We gave ourselves to the serpent’s black call</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The serpent was raised because of our fall.</div>
<div align="right" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Benjamin J. Cline</div>
<div align="right" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
6/1/2000</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-88017170412830109682019-11-07T09:49:00.002-08:002019-11-07T09:49:32.558-08:00While you were out . . .<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ev’ry now and then, while you were away,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and I was doing my own work at home,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and was playing the music that I like to play,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and was doing my things in a way of my own:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
talking to myself without feeling odd</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and fixing my eyes on the plain white wall;</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
drifting between thoughts of language and God</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and deep brooding thoughts ‘bout nothing at all,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
there’d be a small whiff of you in my nose</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
that you’d left behind early in the day</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
in a blanket or in some of your clothes,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
gentle reminders of your recent stay,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
and a sweetness would sneak down through my chest</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
saying alone is good, but with you is best.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
Benjamin Cline</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
7/12/05</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-32482453694643174592019-11-07T09:48:00.003-08:002019-11-07T09:48:59.803-08:00When The World Was New<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Sundays after church we would take turns cooking.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
None of us were gourmets, but we tried.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We would excitedly tell the others about a new spice,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tarragon, or rosemary, or something else that was only new to us;</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Something that real cooks had always known,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But to us, taste was something new.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We would lavishly praise each other “great recipes”.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the one who did not cook would bring the wine.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Maybe it was all just an excuse for the wine.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Sundays, after church, we would drink wine.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
None of us were wine experts, but we tried.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We would excitedly tell the others about a new wine,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, or something that was only new to us;</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Something that real wine connoisseurs had always known.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We would talk about the “good wine” to each other</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And we would relate the beauty to philosophy.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Maybe it was all just an excuse for the philosophy.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Sundays, after church, we would discuss philosophy.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
None of us were philosophers, but we tried.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We would excitedly tell the others about a new book.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
By Aristotle, or Kierkegaard, or someone that was only new to us.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Someone about whom real philosophers had always known.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We would talk about the “great books” to each other.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And we would enjoy being together.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Maybe it was just an excuse to be together.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That’s probably what it was.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Benjamin Cline</div>
<div align="right" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
4/28/03</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-58105059084071892722019-11-07T09:48:00.000-08:002019-11-07T09:48:16.193-08:00What I Want Right Now<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to hear a sad, sad song</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">about how much love hurts even when it's good</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to watch a movie</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">where bad guys die just like they should</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to read a book</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">that makes me think magic is real</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to just do something</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">where I still like what I feel.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to teach a class</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">that can make them understand</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">that love and hope and joy and feathers</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">are the safest place to land.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to write an article</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">that will clear up all this mud</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">and cure this affluenza</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">that is coursing through their blood.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to watch the sunset</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">and feel the warmth I used to feel</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to go to Wal-Mart</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">and not feel the need to steal.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to taste my dinner</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">and know that it's enough</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to stand up to my captors</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">and show them I am tough.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want a glass of poison</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">that will kill me for a while</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">and wake me when the pain is gone</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">and pleasure is in style.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want a gun that shoots the evil</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">but leaves all the good in place.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want a spaceship with a harem</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">to have orgies out in space</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want a knife made out of money</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">So I can cut the sky</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">And watch it bleed out sunshine</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I'll laugh and watch it die.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want hypnotic powers</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">from puke-green jewel that binds</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">all those who see it to me</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">so I control their minds</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to rule the world</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to make the rules</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to be in charge</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to stop the fools</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want a the power of the bomb</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">and the power of the purse.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">I want to make things better</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">But I would make them worse.<br /><br />1/30/2009</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-52610153595899834782019-11-07T09:46:00.000-08:002019-11-07T09:46:49.211-08:00Walking Back from the Art Film<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cold mist beads and drips off my long black coat.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Drops sparkle in the streetlights like small stars</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I pull my collar up over my throat.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I ignore the warmth of cafés and bars.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My hands stuffed in my pockets, I walk fast.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My breath puffs up like steam from an old train.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Warm coffee shops beckon but I walk past.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The mist grows up to be cold autumn rain.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Two blocks past the stoplight is my small space</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
where I have hot-chocolate and all my books.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I also have blankets and a perfect place</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
to hang these cold, dripping clothes up on hooks.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
But now I must feel the icy rain’s bite</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Walking and puffing through frigid wet night.</div>
<div align="right" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Benjamin J. Cline</div>
<div align="right" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
October 4, 2003</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-91025622515632896952019-11-07T09:44:00.003-08:002019-11-07T09:44:43.110-08:00Twilight Conversations<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We would walk in the glittering twilight.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And Talk on the edge between spirit and soul.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Newborn stars would brighten the sky’s light.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And in the light of that night, we were made whole.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No star seemed to fall too far out of our reach.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The water was deep but we could not drown.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We had each other to study and teach.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And groupies of angels all standing around.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A shining mirror that never could crack:</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We would watch God glow between each other.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In that Perfect Lightness reflected back,</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We’d add one weighty thought to another.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Somewhere singing sweet in my memory.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">These old conversations still speak to me.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-right;">5-13-2000</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-30620085197493884882019-11-07T09:43:00.002-08:002019-11-07T09:43:47.304-08:00To Adrian <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You are in the sunrise when I stay up all night.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You’re the stars in my eyes when I get in a fight.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You are in the pinkish skin left there by a scar.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You are the sparkling glass broke by a crashing car.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You are the slightest pleasure that lives inside of hurt.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You are the clearest water flowing through my dirt.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Within you I find that one ounce of surety,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A place amid the chaos where one can be at peace.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
See, somewhere in that mixture, there’s still purity:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The center of the wheel, where motions seem to cease.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Benjamin Cline</div>
<div align="right" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
04/26/03</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-5072537214534597112019-11-07T09:42:00.005-08:002019-11-07T09:42:50.176-08:00This Morning<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The morning air still smells so clean and cool<br />from yesterday’s downpour when I had come,<br />a skin-soaked, drenched dress-shirt and khakis fool,<br />waterlogged walker arriving at home.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I peeled off sodden clothes like shedding skin<br />Pulling off soaked socks and wet shirt and tie<br />‘til wearing only what I was born in<br />I chose sweatclothes which were thick, warm and dry.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But the morning air, exhorting my nose<br />speaks of obligations that are unmet<br />that will not allow these comfortable clothes<br />and further require I rise from my bed</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And go out to walk in that world once more<br />that tried to drown me just the day before.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
9/11/2007</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-60960554170778328052019-11-07T09:41:00.000-08:002019-11-07T09:41:02.715-08:00The Yelling<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
It can happen any time.<br />When I’m doing something right.<br />When I’m doing something wrong.<br />If we’d been arguing, or if things have been okay<br />If it happened the day before of if it hadn’t happened for months.<br />There is no way to predict it.<br />There is no way to explain it.<br />But it follows a common pattern.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
Sometimes it begins when I hear cursing<br />Often, however, it starts right out with yelling.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br /><br />I try to apologize.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />I try to understand.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />I try to console.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />I try to explain.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />I try to be silent.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />I try to defend.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />I try to stay calm.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />The yelling starts accusing.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />The yelling describes every mistake I’ve made.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />I am crying. I try to apologize again. I try to apologize for all those past mistakes.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />The yelling belittles me, says I haven’t “gone the extra mile” or “taken initiative” or “really tried.”<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />And I ask the yelling to stop.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />And the yelling makes no sense, a cacophony of in double forte.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />And I ask it again to stop.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />The yelling become empty, crazed uncomprehendible accusations, insane inflictor of torture.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />The yelling becomes like burning coals in my soul and I beg it to stop.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />The empty, meaningless yelling overtakes me and I drop to the floor.<br />The yelling goes on and on.<br />I cower and I cry and the yelling stands over me.<br />And the yelling goes on and on.<br />And I’d do anything to make the yelling stop.<br />And the yelling goes on and on.<br />And then I yell. I yell back at the yelling and I scream out from the depths of my soul and the pain that the yelling has inflicted.<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
And the yelling stops.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
And I know I was wrong to yell back.<br />And I know that what I yelled was hurtful.<br />And I know I shouldn’t have done that.<br />And I look out for forgiveness,<br />And there is none.<br />And I look out for compassion<br />And there is none.<br />And I look out for a gentle touch<br />And there is none.<br />And I look out for some sort of acknowledgement.<br />And there is none.<br />Because I am nothing.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
And the yelling has stopped.<br />But I haven’t stopped it.<br />I have merely given it more ammunition<br />next time it wants to destroy me.<br /><br />11/15/2012</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-30831985675252905482019-11-07T09:38:00.003-08:002019-11-07T09:38:37.760-08:00The Peek<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What do you do when you’ve looked down her shirt</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And she caught your eye in that ogling act?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There in between you is both lust and hurt</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That can’t be denied. It’s there. It’s a fact.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And your civilized mask is blown away</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When the sensitive guy you try to be</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Is revealed as predator to the prey</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And conqueror from whom she can’t be free.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Apologize? As if that is enough</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For your half-second of unconscious rape</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Or smile in her eyes and act like you’re tough</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And cage her so she could never escape</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
Pretend it’s not there is what most will do</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
Safe ‘cause she wants to be civilized too.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
Benjamin Cline</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
5-7-05</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-61204193785450798172019-11-07T09:37:00.003-08:002019-11-07T09:37:53.108-08:00The Damned Cry Out To God<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Underneath plaster skies I wait for you</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Beating against the solid horizon.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I scry in toilet bowels so wet and blue</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For a realness that my soul relies on.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am cleansed by the warm rain in a box.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am freed by a thousand micro-slaves.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am set apart by unholy locks</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
From the pain, the cold and even the grave.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Have I lost you in the electric earth;</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the disinfected world I have made?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do you dwell in a wild sow’s afterbirth</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Or the pond scum in which frogs egg’s are laid?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
Or are you omnipresent, like they said</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
And it is not you, but me, who is dead?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-40187236704608971962019-11-07T09:37:00.000-08:002019-11-07T09:37:04.504-08:00The Artist<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He walks on society’s razor edge</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where genius and madness are purple shades</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And that razor cuts him feet to head</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To splatter red blood as paint on a page.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And this blood, like Able’s cries out to God</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lord, bring back your yellow flowers of hope</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For green grass withers and proves itself fraud</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rising up from the orange embers as smoke.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He reaches to Heaven for something true</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A bite of manna so we can be clean</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And somewhere beyond the sky so blue</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are the visions of God that he has seen.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But just like the prophets that came before</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 40px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He’s crucified, stabbed, or stoned on the floor.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676598569183044508.post-77777346994551804052019-11-07T09:36:00.002-08:002019-11-07T09:36:32.719-08:00Talk<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In smoke-filled all night cafés</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Over bottomless cups of black coffee</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And at back-tables of bars</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Over amber, bubbling, beakers of beer</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We would talk.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We talked about nature.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We talked about the truth of nature</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the nature of truth.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We talked about the beauty of nature</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the nature of beauty.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We talked about the beauty of truth</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the truth of beauty.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We talked about the goodness of nature</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the nature of goodness.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We talked about the goodness of beauty</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the beauty of goodness.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We talked about the goodness of truth</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 13.3333px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the truth of goodness.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0